SAINT PAUL, Minn. -
Miami University junior forward Reilly Smith was tabbed one of just 10 finalists for the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the top player in Division I men's college hockey, the Hobey Baker Memorial Award Foundation announced Thursday. Smith is one of three finalists from the CCHA, along with Michigan senior goalie Shawn Hunwick and Michigan State junior defenseman Torey Krug.

With Smith's selection as a finalist, Miami has now had a Hobey Baker Award top-10 finalist each of the last three seasons and seven of the last nine years, dating back to 2003-04. A total of 11 different RedHawks have been named a Hobey Baker finalist in program history, including Smith, while senior goalie Cody Reichard was a finalist as a sophomore and Miami had two finalists in the same year for the first time last year in Carter Camper and Andy Miele. Miele went on to become the first RedHawk to ever win the Hobey Baker Award.

Smith (Mimico, Ont.), one of three finalists for CCHA Player of the Year, was a unanimous First-Team All-CCHA selection this year, earning the honor for the second straight season. The Dallas Stars prospect ranks second nationally with 27 goals on the year, while his 18 in CCHA play (five more than anyone else) led the league for the second straight year. He has a CCHA-best 43 points on the year in 36 games, while his 1.19 points per game tie for 17th nationally. Smith also has eight game-winning goals on the year, which leads the country and ties Miami's single-season record, as he is also tied for second in career game-winners at Miami with 12. He has nine power play goals and a short-handed goal, as well. His +22 rating on the season ranks third in the CCHA.

Smith was a two-time RBC Financial Group CCHA Player of the Month for November and January and was named CCHA Offensive Player of the Week four times during the year, more than any other player. The tri-captain was also named Inside College Hockey National Player of the Week Jan. 23 after a four-goal weekend vs. Western Michigan. INCH also named him CCHA Player of the Year. He was named MVP of the Denver Cup Classic and to the All-Tournament Team after his three-goal weekend Nov. 25-26 led Miami to the title. Smith tallied two hat tricks this year, the only CCHA player to do so, with one against Western Michigan Jan. 20 and the other Oct. 14 at Colgate, giving him three for his career.

Smith closed the regular season on a career-long-tying four-game goal streak (Feb. 17 to Feb. 25) and is currently riding a career-long eight-game point streak. He became the 47th player in program history to record 100 career points earlier this season, as he now has 117 career points, which ranks 32nd all-time at Miami. Smith has five multi-goal games and five multi-assist games on the season, while he has a total of 12 multi-point games this year, including a career-high four points twice (Oct. 14 at Colgate and Oct. 25 at Ohio State). He has at least one goal in 20 of his 36 games this year and a point in 24 games on the season.

The 10 finalists were selected by a vote from all 58 Division I head coaches and by online fan balloting. The finalists will be narrowed down to three by the 23-member selection committee and more fan balloting. The Hobey Hat Trick will then be announced March 29 while the winner will be revealed April 6 in Tampa, Fla. at the Frozen Four. The criterion for the Hobey Baker Award includes strength of character on and off the ice, displaying outstanding skills in all phases of the game, sportsmanship and scholastic achievements.